Regulator for separators.



M. H. REAP.

.REGULATR For: sEPARAToRs. A APPLICATION FILED FB.24.1915.

.Patented Feb. 27, 1917.

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Y REGULATOR FOR SEPARATORS.

- APPLICATION FILEDv FEB. 24. |915. 1,217,826. l Patented Fen-27,1917.

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M. H. REAP.

REGULATOR FoR s'EPARAoRs, APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24. |915.

Patented Feb. 27, 1917.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIcEQ MICHAEL HENRY RAEAP, or soRANcioN,l IErnvsYLvArTfA.V

REGULATOR EoR sEPARAToRs.`

To all whom t may concern.'

.Be it known that l, vMICHAEL HENRY REAR, a citizen of the .United States, resid- .ing at Scranton, inthe county of Lackawanna and State of Pennsylvania', have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Regulators for Separators, of. which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention comprises an automatic other apparatus for the 'segregation ofv materials into various grades. It is especially* adapted for use where the separation is effected through, and'based upon variations in the specific gravities of thematerials used.

Separator-s of this type generally consist of a feed and bed or screen for the materials to be segregated: outlets for the heavier and lighter portions respectively: a liquid tank Vunder the bed, or screen: and means for forcing the liqui up through the materials on the screen:l Th heavier portions remain thereon and are drawn off through a port lor valve; the lighter portions ascend and particles pass over a gate; lwhile the liner pass through the meshof the screen.'

For 'perfect working of the apparatus, it

v is desirable that a certain approximately fixed proportion of the heavier materials i remain on the bed or screen at all times, the amount varying accordingito the quality, quantity, and various'characteristics of the material being used. As this amount is being constantly augmented, .considerable difilculty has been experienced in withdrawing portions of the -heavier materials to the eX- clusion of the lighter grade above, and atl the same time maintaining the line of def marcation between these ltwo gradesat an approximately fixed level.

Electrical apparatus to energize-a clutch and connect the heavy material valve with the, drive shaft after the material has lreached a certain level, has been provided. This is complicated, expensive, and owing to the excessive moisture and dust, frequently ineffective. Devices wherein a valve is connected with a -counteryveight, and released after the weight of the heavier material has overcome the counterweight, are uncertain, as frequently the nbed becomes covered with bolts, nails, spikes., and portions of machinery which are generally Specification of Letters Patent.

follows. p

much heavier thanthe heaviest of the materials to yzbe separated.

A practical device. whichwill eliminate these difiiculties and produce the desired results, should be simple, automatic, and so constructed that any variation "in the height of the heavier materials on thebed will be immediately and' positively communicated tion of such a device. Other objects and advantages will in partlbev obvious, and in y y Patented Feb. 27; 1917.. Application inea Eep'ruary 24, i915. serial No. 10.261.`

iso

part be made clear in the description which In the accompanying` drawings therelis illustrated a practical embodiment -of the invention, the followingviews being shown Figure l, is a side elevation, partly in section, showing an applicationof a form.

ofthe device.; v v Fig.` 2, isa plan view, ofthe same;

.Fig 3, is aV sectional view .showing outlets in detail; a

Fig. 4, is a side elevation, partly in sec-y tion, showing aA modification;

Fig. 5., 1s a plan view of the same;

tion, `of another embodimentl of the` inven-` Fig. 7, is" a plan view of the saine. Referring specifically to they drawings, the

, y '80 vlFig.v 6,v is a side elevation, partly in secnumeral'l, designates. generally a sov called Jig, or separator of well known construction. It consists essentially of a tankQ, a

plunger. 3"for forcing liquid up through aA bedfor screen 4, upon which are' fed ma- For carrying off .the heavier yportions there` is provideda valve 8 carrying a ratchet member 9. Engaging with the ratchet is ak pawl 10 carried byA a rock arm 11, which is driven by v an arm 12 generally connected eccentrically withy the drive shaft of theplunger. Actuation ofthe rock arm back and forth rotates the valve, and carries the heavier lmaterials `from the edge .ofthe .screen and .deposits them in a trough or the like 13. This is'v all well known construction, and ,no claim .is made thereto. My invention comprises means for posibe separated, throughv any suitable with the pawl for actuating'the discharge' 4()l thereof.

adjustments of the float are so designed,v

tively transmitting to -the outlet opening and closing means or instrumentality, any variation in the height of the line of demarcation between the heavy ,and lighter materials, and will now-'be described.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment for use on,` the particular form of separator illustrated therein, is shown. a float member having'a body portion 14 sufliciently heavy to overcome the' lighter materials, and normally rest upon the surface of the heavier portions. It is preferably provided with a guide rod 15 adaptedl to extend through a perfoi'atioii in the bed or screen, and be disposed on the body poi'- tion of the float, preferably at the bottom The construction, buoyancy and that, while the bottom rests upon the surface of the heavier materials, the top will extend up through the lighter portions and clear of the liquid level line. For the purpose of preventing materials from lodging on the ioat, it is provided, at its upper portion, with sloping' sides.

This float member or weighted float member, as it may be called, is suitably connected, as by rods 16 provided with connecting members 17 and adjusting means 18, to an arm or lever 19 mounted, preferably adjustably, on a shaft 20. Shaft 20 is carried by bearings 21 here shown mounted on the sides of the separator. j j

Upon the shaft l 20 there is secured, through an adjusting means 22, a second arm'24. This arm is providedv with an extended portion 25, so arranged that the end of the arm will be in approximate alinement valve 8 previously described. Tntermediate the ends a counter weight 26 is arranged so as to be movablelongitudinally thereon.

The pawl 10 is connected with the end of i the extended portion 25 of the arm 24 as by pivotal connections 27, rods 28, and adjusting means 29, and will, through the oscillations of the rock arm 11 actuate the valve 8 to carry off the heavier portions of the material when in the position shown in Fig. 1. It will be apparent that when the heavy materials have reached a pre-determined height, raising of the float will be communicated through the connections just described positively vand directly to the pawl to actuate the discharge valve, and the adjustments permit a certain necessary amount of 'lost motion, or jumping of the float due to the pulsations of the watern lwithout effecting actuation of the valve. These adjustments likewise permit a very accurate determination of the height of the heavier materials on the screen. i

For regulation of separators wherein there is provided a form of waste valve differing iiiconstruction from that just described, or

It comprises wherein the heavier materials are permitted to pass under a gate, the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 may be denected, as by connection member 31, to an arm '32 extending from and secured` to a shaft 33. This shaft is mounted suitably, as in journals 34, conveniently placed, and here shown secured to the sides of the separator. Upon the shaft 33 there are also provided two arms 35, and there may also be secured an extension arm 36 for the reception of a counterweight 37 adj ustably., mounted.

Pivotally connected to the arms 35, as by connection members 38, are rods 39, which are at their opposite ends secured, preferably pivotally, to a gate 40. The connection members are arranged so as to permit their longitudinal adjustment on the arms 35, and

also to eifect an adjustment of the rods 39 vertically therein. The gate 40 is arranged to slide in guideways 41 secured to the sides of the separator, and is provided with a lip or extension 42 liingedly secured thereto. Both are adapted to normally rest in proximity to the permanent gate of the separator.

The ioat 30, arms 32,and 36, and counterweight 37 may be dispensed with in this con-V struction, and floats 43, pivotally, and preferably adjustably secured to extended portions 44 of the arms 34, substituted, according to the construction of the separator, and the conditions under which it is to be operated. This construction is shown in lines, in Fig. 5.

It will be apparent that raising of the float o'i' floats in this embodiment will be communicated, through the arms and shaft to the gate, positivelyfand iii the same di- -rection as the float, the adjustments permitting a high degree of accuracy in xing the level of the heavier materials under all working conditions.

In Figs. 6, and 7, floats 45`are suitably attaclied, as by pivotal members 46, to the ends of lever arms 47, which are in turn j mounted, Vpreferably adjiistably, and intermediate their ends, on `a supporting member or shaft 48. Similarly, a supporting memlber or shaft 49 carries mounted at suitable points intermediate their ends to. secure proper leverage, arms 50. The supporting members or shafts are in turn mounted in bearings 51 conveniently placed, and here shown attachedto the separator.

Lever arms 47 and 50 are connected, as by slotted link connections 52the opposite ends of arms 50 being in turn connected as'by dotted -llO links 53 pivotally mounted therein, to a gate 54. This gate is adapted to slide vertically in guideways 55 here shown mounted onopposite sides of the separator, and is, as be- 'amount of rise or jump of the ioats due to the pulsations of the liquid without efecting an actuation of the outlet for the materials. Afsimple meansfor ydoing this is shown in Fig. 6, wherein an elongated slot 57 is provided in a portion of the members 46 through v which the iioats are attached to the .lever arms 47.

By providing a lost motion connection between the'float andthe outlet opening and closing means, the. float is permitted alimited amount of movement in each direction, due to the pulsations of the liquid, without communicating this movement to the outlet opening and closing means. As the heavier materials increase or diminish, this movement becomes more restricted until finally the float and connecting instrumentality act as an integral or unitary structure, directly and positively upon 'the`port opening and closing means. The pulsations of the liquid at thisfstage of the movement, cause a vibratory or arring motion which forces the gates through the coarser particles of material much more eiiiciently than would be possible if a steady and direct pressure were applied.

In Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7, there is shown a4 form of outlet valveiwherein provision is made for continuous rotation, this being well known construction, a drive member 58 through the medium of a reducing gear 59 being used.

The operation of the form shown in Figs. 6, and 7, is apparent, as raising of the ioats is communicated positively, and inthe same direction, through the lever arms and links, to the gate 54, to raise the same, and loweringof the floats lowers the gate. i The terms directly7 and positively as used to describe the manner in which movement of the weighted or `i'loat member is communicated to the outlets, .should be distinguished from electrical means for energizing a clutch, to connect the drive gear with the valve gear, or from constructions wherein theweight of the heavier materials must overcome a counterweight before there is actuation of the outlet ports.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have devised a simple, practical, and automatic means for regulation of separators which fully meets the requirements and fulls the objects hereinbefore stated.

' lVhile the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with the `embodiments herein shown, it will be understood that I do not desire to limit myself to the precise construction of this disclosure, as many changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made without dev parting from the principles of the invention or sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is :--v v l. In a separator, a separating device hav-.

, and closing said port; a regulator comprising aoat member; and a direct mechanical lost motion connection between `said float member and said p'ort opening and closing means.

3. In a separaton'a separating device having anv outlet and means for .controlling said outlet; a regulator comprising a float member; and a lost motion lever mechanism 5. In va separator, a separating device having an outlet and outlet controlling means; a regulator comprising a ioat member; and

a direct mechanical connection between said float and said means, adapted to permit a limited movement of the float without effecting actuation vof the outlet controlling means.

6. In a separator, a separating device having an outlet and outlet controlling means;

a regulator comprising a ioatvmember; and 1' a direct mechanical connection between said float and said means adapted to permita limited movement of thelioat, during a portion of its stroke, without effecting actuation of the outlet controlling means .and for theremainder of its stroke to directly and positively actuate said outlet controlling means.

lio

7. In a separator, a separating device having an outlet and outlet-controlling means; a

regulator comprisinga float member mounted for reversible movement; and a direct mechanical connection between said float and `i said outlet-controlling means, the float having a connection adapted to permit a limited movement of the oat when its movement is reversed, without effecting actuation of the outlet-controlling means,Y and for the remainder of its movement to positively and directly actuate said outletcontrolling means.

I8.1- In a separator, a separating device adapted to cause lateral. movement of materials to be separated,I andfhaving an outl'let' and outlet-controlling means; a` regula'- -tor member; means comprising mechanical instrumentalities having a lost motion con*- l nection connecting ,said vregulator member Aand said outlet-controlling means;

and means for restraining and guiding the movements of the regulator' member.

9. In a separator, a separating device having a material supporting bottom, an outlet, and means for controlling said outlet; a regulatorcomprising -al float member; means including a mechanical lost motion element, directly connecting said float member and said outlet controlling means; and means including a member associated with the float and passing through an opening in said bottom, for guiding the movements of the float member.

10. In aseparator, a separating device having an outlet and outlet controlling means; a regulator comprising a float member; a direct mechanical lostfmotion connection between said ioat member and said outlet controlling means;'and means for efl i fectingan adjustment of the float member weight, for effecting an adjustment of the float member and the outlet controllingy means with vrelation to a stratum of the material to be separated. 4 f

` 12. In combination, a separator having an' outlety and outlet controlling means; a float member having parallel sides proportioned in height to extend to the surface level of materials to be separated; and connected with the. outlet controlling means at a point above thesurface level of materials in the separator. y

13. In combination, a separator having an outlet and outlet controlling means; a float member having a body `yportion'extending above the surface level of materials to be separated, and including vertical sides; only the vertical sides being vadapted to be immersed in the materials to be separated; said floatvconnected to the outlet controlling means, a't a point above the surface level of materials in the separator.

14. In combination, a separator having an outlet and outlet controlling means; a iioat member including a body portion adapted to rest at its lower portion upon a stratum of 'a counter weight associated with and link mechanisms. the heavier .materials to be separated, and

Langeac proportioned in 'heightto extend up through and above the surface level ofthe materials; a top portion having sloping sides, disposed on said body portion above the surface of the materials; and meansl for connecting said float with said outlet controlling means.

` 15,. In combination, a separator having an outlet, a material separating bottom., and outlet controlling means; a float member including a body portion having vertical sides, said body portion being adapted to rest, at its lower portion upon `the surface of a stratum of. the heavier 'materials on the bottom of the separator, and proportioned in height to extend up through and above the level of the materials-in the separator; a top portionhaving sloping sides, disposed upon said body portion; and means, including a lost motion' element, disposed upon said body portion and 'connecting saidioat member with said outletgcontrolling means.

. 16. In combination, a separator having an outlet, a material supporting bottom, and

outlet controlling means; a oat member including a body portion having vertical sides, said body portion'being adapted to rest, at its lower portion upon the surface of` a stratum of the heavier materials on the bottom of the separator, and proportioned in height to extend up throughand above the level of the materials in the separator; a top portion having sloping sides, disposed upon said body portion; means,.including a lost motion element, disposed upon said top portion and vconnecting said float member with said outlet controlling means; and a guide member secured tol the body portion and passing through an opening in the bottom of the material support. j

17. A separator having a receptacle for materials to be separated, having outlets for heavier and lighter portions. thereof respectively, means for controlling the opening and closing of said voutlets and means for affecting stratification of the materials in thel separator; a regulator comprising a .float member weighted to normally rest upon the surface of a stratum of the heavier materials and extend up through and above the level of the materials inthe receptacle; a supporting instrumentality movably mounted in operative relation to said receptacle; link mechanism connecting said supporting instrumentality and said outlet controlling means; adjusting means associated with said-link mechanism; lever mechanis. l. associated with said supporting instrumentality and `operatively connected with said link mechanism; mechanical lost motion 'mechanism connecting said float' member and said lever mechanism; 'anl adjusting means associated with said connections; and said lever 18. In a separator, a separating device having an outlet and movable outlet-controlling means; alregulator member for actuating the outlet controlli-n/g means; and mechanical means connecting said regulator member and said outlet-controlling means, the connection being adapted to permit an up and down movement of the regulator member in addition toits outlet control actuation. y i 1 19.l A separator having a material-supporting device including an outlet and outlet-controlling means; ,a supporting instrumentality associated therewith; an arm` mounted on and movable with saidf supportinginstrumentality; a lever connected to said supporting instrumentality; a 4regulator member connected to said lever, and adapted to actuatethe outlet control means, the connectionbeing adapted to permit an up and 4down movement of the regulator member in addition to its outlet controlled actuation; and mechanical means connecting said lever and said outlet-controlling means.

20. A separator having a material-supporting device including an outlet and out let-controlling means; a supporting instrumentality associated therewith; an arm mounted von and movable with said supporting instrumentality; a regulator member connected to said lever, -and Aadaptred tol actuate the outlet control. means,

f said outlet-controlling means actuation;

' the connection being adapted to permit an the connection being adapted to permit anl up and down movement of theregulator member 'in addition to its outlet controlled mechanical 'means connecting said lever and said outlet-controlling'means; and means for effecting an adjustment besaid lever. l21. 'A separator having a material-sup-v porting device including an outlet and'outlet-controlling means.; a supporting instrumentality associated therewith; an arm mounted on and mnvable with said supporting instrumentality; a lever connectedv tov said supporting instrumentality; a regullator member connected to said lever, and

adapted to actuat the outlet control means,

upv and down movement ofl the regulator member in addifion t@ as' 'Outlet Controlled actuation; mechanical means 'connecting vsaid lever and said outlet-controlling means; means for effecting an' adjustment between said 'regulator and lsaid lever; and means t including a vcounter-weight vfor effecting a balance between said regulator member an f 22.`Th'e combination in-a separator having a material-supporting device, outlets for heavier andlighter portions of the material, and a gate over which the lighter and under which the heavier materials pass to said out- -\lets; of a regulator member for actuating said gate; and mechanical instrumentaliconnecting-said iioat member Vand said outlet ties having a lost motionconnection connecting said regulator member and said gate, the connection being. adapted to permit an up and down movementl of the regulator i member in addition to its outlet control actuation. y

23.In a separator, a separating device adapted to cause a lateral movement of materials to vbe separated, and having outlets for heavier and lighter portions of the material; a. gate over which the lighter and under which,I the heavier portions of materials pass to said outlets; a regulator member; means, comprising mechanical instru,-

mentalitieshaving a lost motion connection 80 connecting said regulator member and said gate; and means for restraining and guidl'long the movementsof the regulator memj er. f Y' 24. In combination,- a separator having an 35 outlet; means for controlling the opening and closing of said outlet; a supporting instrumentality; mechanical means connect- 1 ing said supporting instrumentality -and said outlet controlling means; a float mem- T ber; and instrumentality including a mechanical lost motion connection, associated with said supporting 'instrumentality and connecting means.' v j 25. `The combination in a separator having an outlet and outlet controlling means, of a supporting instrumentality mounted movablyv in operative relation to the separator; an arm disposed on and movable with said supporting instrumentality mechanism connectj K ing said arm and said outlet controlling means; means for effecting an adjustment betweensaid mechanism and said arm; le-

ver mechanismmounted on said supporting instrumentality r and operatively 'connected with said arm; a loatmember; a-mechanicallost motion connection between said float and said lever; means for eiecting'an adjustment between said float and said lever; means for guiding the movements of 'the float member;A and means, comprising a` counterweight disposed .on saidsupporting instrumentality, for adjusting the weight of the float member.

26. The combinationin `a separator having a material supportingdevice,.outlets for heavier and lighter portions of the material, i and a gate over which the lighter' and under which the heavier materials pass to said outlets, of a regulator comprising a float -member; a mechanical lost motion connectlon between said float member and said gate; vand means for eii'ecting an adjustment betweenthe bottom of the o'at member and 125 bottom of the gate. v

27. The combination in aseparator having a material supporting device, outlets for heavier and lighter portions of the material, and a gate over which the lighterv and under which the heavier materials, pass to said outlets; of a regulator comprising a float member; mechanism including a lost motionl instrumentality, connecting said fioat member and said gate; and means for effectingl surface of a Stratum of the heavier materials in the receptacle and eXtendup through .the lighter materials and above the level of the materials in the receptacle; `a supporting instrumentality movably mounted in operative relation to said receptacle; mechanism opy eratively connecting said supporting instrumentality and said'outlet controlling meansi a lever mechanism operatively connected with said supporting instrumentality; and a mechanical lost motion instrumentality connecting said lever and said float member.

29. A separatorhaving a receptacle for materials to be separated, having outlets for heavier and lighter portions thereof respectively, means for controlling the, opening and closing of said outlets and means for effecting stratification of the materials in the separator, said means being adaptedv to cause a lateral'movement of the materials; a regulator comprising a float member weighted to normally rest upon thev surface of a stratum of the heavier materials and extend up through and above the level of materials in the receptacle; a supportingy instrumentality movably mounted in viperative relation to-fsaid receptacle; link mechatality and said outlet controlling means; adjustingV means associated with said link mechanism; lever mechanism associated f with said supportinginstrumentality and operatively connected with said link mechanism; mechanical. lost motion mechanism connecting said oat member and said lever mechanism; adjusting means associated with said connection; a counterweight associated with said lever and link mechanisms;

and means for restraining and guiding the Y movements of the float member.'

j 30. The combination in a separator `comprising a liquid tank, a screen for the reception of materials to be separated, means for pulsating liquid therethrough; there being outlets for the heavier and lighter portions of the material and a gate having a lower surface under which the heavier and an upper surface -bver which the lighter materials 4 pass to said outlets, of a regulator therefor comprising .a float member adapted to lnormallyv rest onthesurface of the'heavier materials; andmeans, including a mechanical lost motion mechanism, connecting said float and said gate, whereby the lower portion of the gate .and the bottom' of the float member arel maintained inpredetermined positions with relation to the surface vof the heavier materials on the screen. ,p

In testimony whereof ll affix my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses,

' MICHAEL HENRY REAP. Witnesses: T. A. DoNAHoE,

G F. -HELRIEGEL ynism connecting said supporting instrumen- 

